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Weather The Storm With SERVPRO

6/29/2023 (Permalink)

 

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit North Texas, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,700 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams  that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today 817-557-6895

Storm Season Is Approaching

6/29/2023 (Permalink)

It's storm season again! When the cold arctic air from Canada and the warm tropical winds from the Gulf of Mexico meet, this can cause major weather disturbances in North Texas.  As everyone who's lived here a while knows we can see all kinds of damaging weather from torrential rains, ice, sleet, hail, high winds, and tornadoes. When these storms hit SERVPRO of Lake Arlington is ready to clean up the mess and make it "Like it never even happened."  With over 40 franchises in the Dallas Forth Worth metroplex and our expert storm team always on the ready SERVPRO of Lake Arlington has the resources available to handle any size disaster.  Our highly trained technicians will restore your property while providing excellent customer service in the process.

24/7 we are here for you.

How Often to Clean HVAC?

5/23/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technician cleaning the air vent piping We offer heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit (HVAC) cleaning.

As you embark on cleaning your home, you may forget an important piece of machinery that needs cleaning and maintenance as much as the garage needs cleaning! Don't forget about your HVAC system.

Benefits of Cleaning Your HVAC

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), pollutant levels inside your home can be two to five times higher than outdoors pollutant levels, and the ventilation system is often the largest contributor to low indoor air quality! Many systems go a long time before being inspected and cleaned, so if your HVAC system is like most, your dirty vents might be circulating odors, mold, and irritating dust throughout your home, too.

The EPA reports contaminants or foreign objects such as rodents, insects, dust, dirt, debris, bacteria, mold, and pollen have the ability to enter and collect in your air ducts. So not only is your indoor air quality worsened, but these critters and allergens can cause long-term damages to your HVAC system.

Who Cleans Air Ducts?

Cleaning your HVAC system is no easy task without the right tools, but that’s where a professional in the industry like your local SERVPRO can help. We offer heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit (HVAC) cleaning. In most cases, air duct cleaning is not essential to a smoothly run home, but after a major air-quality-reducing event like a fire with smoke or suspected mold growth, duct cleaning is absolutely essential to limit the circulation of contaminants throughout the house.

If your HVAC has been operating for some time without attention, it could be circulating the following:

  • Dust
  • Pollen
  • Odors
  • Dirt and debris
  • Other contaminants

How Does SERVPRO Clean HVAC Systems?

Unlike most duct cleaning services, we use a Portable Ventilation & Air Duct Cleaning System to examine ductwork and sweep clean years of dust and grime.

This system allows us to:

  • Remediate Bacteria, Fungi, and Mold
  • Reduce Potential for Mold Growth
  • Restore Peak Energy Efficiency
  • Eliminate Offensive Odors
  • Provide Free Written Inspections and Estimates

Our Duct Cleaning Process

  • First, we use patented equipment, such as the roto-scraper, which automatically adapts to the duct's shape and diameter while traveling through the duct, removing debris and filth before vacuuming begins.

  • Next, a powerful push-pull air delivery and collection system transfers the debris from the ducting to a 16-gallon container.

  • Air is filtered through a HEPA filtration system, removing 99.97 percent of particles in the airstream. HEPA filters capture debris and keep the environment clean.

  • As an optional process, a sealant or coating product may be sprayed to address odor or microbial concerns.

  • Filters will either be cleaned or replaced to remove odor and dirt.

If you have other cleaning needs, we provide various cleaning services. Call (901) 382-0900 today.

Approximate The Distance To Lightning Strike: Know How To Prepare for Storms

5/23/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO storm cloud logo outline with orange lightning strike coming from the bottom of the cloud To approximate the miles a strike is from you, count the seconds between the flash and thunder, divide by 5!

Know How To Prepare for Storms

Lightning causes around 43 deaths in the U.S. annually (based on statistics from 1989-2018). Thankfully, this number is only 10% of the average lightning strikes, the other 90% are left alive, but with various degrees of disability.

Nationally, lightning ranks second only to flash floods in weather-related deaths. Lightning is the most frequent important weather threat to personal safety during the thunderstorm season. Since the threat of lightning is so common, it is typical that many have a lackadaisical approach to protecting themselves. The main reason is that people stay outside too long as thunderstorms approach or form nearby. 

For example, during the early part of the thunderstorm season, "dry" thunderstorms are quite common. With these types of thunderstorms, little or no precipitation reaches the ground and, as a result, people are less likely to seek shelter.  See lightning facts below for statistics on lightning events. 

Did you know?

  • The air near a lightning strike is heated to 50,000 ° F, that is hotter than the surface of the sun!
  • The average flash could light a 100-watt light bulb for more than 3 months.
  • Lightning occurs with all thunderstorms.

While most lightning casualties occur at the beginning of an approaching storm, a significant number of lightning deaths occur after the thunderstorm has passed.  If thunder is heard, then the storm is close enough for a lightning strike.  DO NOT wait for the rain to start before seeking shelter, and do not leave shelter just because the rain has ended. 

A Cool Lightning Hack

You can approximate the distance of lightning!

Did you know you can approximate the distance a storm is from you but counting the time between the flash of lightning and the thunder sound that coincides with the lightning flash? That means you can, at your own home, with minimal supplies, figure out how far a lightning strike is from you!

What You’ll Need:

  1. You Ears
  2. Your Eyes
  3. A watch with a second counter or a phone

From the time you see lightning, it will take the sound of thunder 5 seconds to travel 1 mile. To approximate the miles a strike is from you, count the seconds between the flash and thunder, divide by 5!

For example, if you see a flash of lightning, start a stop watch and hear a large crash of thunder 5 seconds after the flash, your lightning is only 1 mile away! Anything less than 5 seconds is definitely close, so seek cover!

It's not raining, is there still danger from being struck by lightning?

YES!  Lightning often strikes outside of the heavy rain area and may occur as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall.

Will the rubber soles of my shoes or tires on my car protect me from being struck?

NO! However, the steel frame of a hard-topped car provides a sort of Faraday Cage or Faraday shield. This increases protection if you are not touching metal. Although you may be injured if lightning strikes your car, you are much safer inside the car than outside. When skies darken, or thunderstorms are forecast, look and listen for increasing wind, flashes of lightning, sound of thunder, and static on your AM radio.  While no place is safe from lightning, some places are much safer than others. 

Where you can go…

  • Get inside a house or large shelter
  • Remain clear of tall, isolated trees and telephone poles
  • If possible, move to a sturdy building or hard top automobile
  • If you are caught outside, away from shelter, you need to get to a place of safety as quickly as possible. If safe shelter is not possible, lie down on low lying ground or in a ditch.
  • If boating or swimming, get out of boats and away from the water, get to land and find shelter immediately

What you can do...

  • Watch for signs of an approaching thunderstorm
  • Postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are imminent. This is your best way to avoid being caught in a dangerous situation
  • REMEMBER, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to a storm to be struck by lightning

If your home or property has been damaged by severe winds, water, or storms—call SERVPRO of Lake Arlington for a free damage restoration estimate.

Storm Damage Cleanup & Restoration

5/4/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Lake Arlington specializes in storm and flood damage restoration. Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

FASTER RESPONSE

Since we are locally owned and operated, we can respond quicker with the right resources. This is extremely important because a fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

RESOURCES TO HANDLE STORMS

When storms hit Lake Arlington we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of over 1700 franchises across the country as well as our elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

  • 24-Hour Emergency Service
  • Faster to Any Size Disaster
  • A Trusted Leader in the Water Restoration Industry
  • Locally Owned and Operated
  • 817-460-7766

Restoring storm- and flood-damaged properties is the cornerstone of our business. Our highly trained professionals use specialized equipment and advanced training to quickly restore your Lake Arlington property to pre-storm condition. We’re dedicated to responding immediately, which helps to minimize secondary damage.

We are storm and water damage specialists who get started promptly to get your property dry and back to pre-storm condition. Using advanced equipment and scientific drying techniques, we document the drying process to validate your home or business is ready.

  • Water Damage Restoration Technician
  • Applied Structural Drying Technicians

Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

5/4/2023 (Permalink)

Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

Atlantic hurricane season runs roughly from June 1 thru November 30 each year, with September holding the spot for the peak hurricane month. While, technically, hurricanes can wreak havoc any time of the year, this is the time to be on your guard the most. With that said, there are several ways to prepare for these storms during the off-season so you are not caught unawares.

Stock Up on Essentials

You'll want to prepare for the loss of electricity and the ability to cook by stocking up on waterbreadnon-perishables, and items you can eat without heating. Also, make sure you have:

  • Extra batteries for flashlights or headlamps,
  • Portable chargers and cables for cell phones,
  • Candles with matches. 

Check Your Insurance

If you live in a hurricane-prone region, make sure your insurance covers flooding and other expenses you may incur because of a Texas hurricane.  

Make a Video of Your Home

If your home is damaged from hurricane winds and water, a home inventory video will help prove the pre-storm state of your home and make insurance claims processing easier. It would also be beneficial to make electronic versions of important documents related to your home and your personal information in case the originals are destroyed in the storm. Include digital files of documents such as your:

  • Birth certificate
  • Driver's license
  • Home's deed
  • Social security card

Protect Your Property

Install hurricane shutters or plywood of at least 3/4 inches in thickness. You may need to install hurricane clips to secure the roof of your home to the walls. This is important in areas that may receive a direct hit, and install foot and head bolts on all doors.

Make an Evacuation Plan

When it is time to evacuate, go. Make a plan for where you and your family will stay at least 50 miles from your Texas home. If you can, pre-pack a bag before the threat of an Atlantic hurricane is severe. Load it with clothes, blankets, food, water, electronics, and important papers or photos.

Use These Tips

Don't Take Risks. Ultimately, people are more important than things. People hurt in hurricane weather evacuate late or stay in their homes altogether. Be wise and get out early. Prepare in order to mitigate panic and this kind of risky behavior. 

We Help with Hurricane Recovery

We live and work in this community; we might even be neighbors. As a locally owned and operated cleaning, damage restoration, and construction business, SERVPRO of Lake Arlington is a proud and active member of this community and is ready to respond to your Orlando home emergency 24/7/365. Call us today at (817) 460-7766.

BBQ Fire Safety

5/16/2022 (Permalink)

Follow These Tips to Avoid a Barbecue Fire

The arrival of nice weather calls for grilling out with friends and family. Unfortunately, a grill fire is a real safety hazard, and in the right circumstances, a fun get-together can turn into a disaster in a hurry. You can avoid a barbecue fire by following these tips:

  1. Keep the Grill in a Safe Location 

Keep the grill outside on a level surface at least 10 feet from buildings and other flammable objects. Never grill under an overhang or in an enclosed area. Be sure to monitor it closely until it cools.

  1. Keep Children and Pets at a Distance

Children and pets should stay at least three feet away from the grill. Ensure that pets on tie-downs cannot reach the grill; they can wrap their line around the grill and pull it over. It will keep them at a safe distance if a grill fire occurs. 

  1. Be Mindful of Loose Clothing

Make sure that you wear appropriate attire when you grill. You can tie back everything with an apron. Use long tongs and spatulas for added safety and wear heat-resistant grill gloves.

  1. Use a Chimney Starter

A chimney starter is a much safer option than lighter fluid. It will also light the coals more evenly. 

  1. Practice the Two-Zone Method

This simple, versatile method creates a much safer grilling experience. Put the hot charcoal on one side of the grill and leave the other side empty. If a flare-up occurs, move the food to the other side until the flame subsides, then move it back to continue cooking. The two-zone method can improve your food quality because it creates a searing side and another side for flame-free slow cooking.

Keep a fire extinguisher near. Do NOT use water; it can make a grease fire flare up. Instead, close the grill lid until the outbreak subsides. If your house sustains fire damage or smoke damage from a grill fire, SERVPRO of Lake Arlington can return it to its original state.

SERVPRO of Lake Arlingotn Introduces Employee Volunteer Time Off

4/22/2022 (Permalink)

3 polaroids of SERVPRO employees using their volunteer time off, on a green background In support of our core values and a healthy work-life balance, SERVPRO of Lake Arlington rolled out a Volunteer Time Off.

Introducing Volunteer Time Off

SERVPRO of Lake Arlington is uniquely positioned to help people during and after disasters with our immediate response to fire, water, storm, and smoke damage. Our company culture of helping others is not just confined to the workplace, but extended into our daily lives.

Healthy Work-Life Balance

In support of our core values and a healthy work-life balance, SERVPRO of Lake Arlington rolled out a Volunteer Time Off (VTO) policy that allows all full-time employees to take up to 16 hours of paid leave to complete volunteer work of their choosing each year.

Employees are already enthusiastically using this time in a way that supports their personal values. This policy gives employees a greater capacity to donate time and energy to causes near to their hearts and have a direct impact on their communities.

The goal is to aid local organizations in a tangible way while fostering stronger, more meaningful community connections in all six SERVPRO Team Nicholson locations. This includes Clarksville and Memphis in Tennessee; St. Pete, Orlando, and Tampa in Florida; and Fort Worth in Texas.

With about 160 full-time employees in six locations across three states, Tennessee, Texas, and Florida, if each eligible worker uses their 16 hours of VTO each year, SERVPRO Team Nicholson will contribute around 2,500 work hours to local charities.

How to Reduce Pet Stress During a Storm: Evacuation Plan

4/8/2022 (Permalink)

group of animated animals under the words "emergency evac" Follow these simple measures to reduce your pet’s stress.

Plan For Your Pets

Inclement weather or fires can happen with or without notice. Creating an emergency plan can help prevent damage to your home and belongings and protect you and your loved ones - including pets! When putting a plan together, it’s important to plan for their needs as well. 

Make an Evacuation Plan

Remember, if you must evacuate due to an emergency, the area is likely not suitable for your pets either. Your evacuation plan should consider where your pets will be taken, if not kept with you, and how best to transport them. Make a list ahead of time of pet friendly hotels or friends’ houses along your evacuation route and near your final destination. Know that some hotels and shelters do not accept animals. 

You also might want to build an emergency travel kit for your animals. This will save time and worry when you must evacuate. 

Items to include in your pet's emergency kit:

  • A completed Emergency Pet Passport containing important information like your pets’ veterinarian contact info, medical needs, license/chip info, photos, etc.
  • Leash, harness, and carrier with blanket to transport animals
  • A few portions of a suitable non-perishable food, water bowl, bottled water, and can opener
  • Cat litter and pan or bags for excrement
  • Medications
  • Toys

Don’t Have to Evacuate? 

If evacuation is not necessary, there are still some things you can do to reduce your pet’s stress in an uncomfortable situation like a thunderstorm.

Pet Stress Symptoms

Pets may exhibit signs of stress and anxiety that can be alleviated by simple measures. Some of these symptoms include whimpering, hiding, pacing, or shivering. These symptoms may be caused by a variety of factors including pets’ greater sensitivity to sounds and air pressure.

As stress increases, symptoms may become more severe. Follow these simple measures to reduce your pet’s stress:

  • Remain calm as an owner
  • Create a comforting space for them in a smaller room like a closet or under a blanket
  • Close blinds and curtains
  • Keep them in their normal routine, if possible

Read more storm and pet related articles here.

How to Remove Odors from Your Arlington Home

3/29/2022 (Permalink)

large desiccant dehumidifier with hepa filtration, angled shot from below, green with large tubes, SERPVRO machine SERVPRO of Lake Arlington Removes Odors from Your Home

SERVPRO of Lake Arlington Removes Odors from Your Home

Odors from smoke, pets, decomposition, and mold can cause lingering odors in your home or business. A simple surface clean doesn't permanently remove offensive odors left by smoke, mold, and other sources. However, with technicians certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration (IICRC), SERVPRO of Lake Arlington provides specialized services that can eliminate those foul smells. 

Our professionals don't cover up lingering odors with a fragrance. We seek out the odor's source.

Once the source is found, we use SERVPRO's proprietary line of cleaning products to treat and prevent the odor from returning. Any restorable item in affected areas will be cleaned and deodorized professionally. These items can include:

  • furniture
  • draperies and upholstery
  • electronics
  • art
  • flooring, walls, ceilings
  • HVAC air ducts & more

Along with our proprietary line of cleaning products, we use various techniques and equipment that are capable of penetrating surfaces to thoroughly neutralize unpleasant odors. 

Tools We Use:

  1. Ozone Generator: The Ozone Generator is one of the quickest ways to eliminate odors from a home or office. We use the Ozone Generator to oxidize odor and eliminate odors from mold, mildew, pets, nicotine, smoke, and more without chemicals. While the room is being treated, a person should not occupy the space. However, the generator works quickly.
  2. Hydroxyl Generator: The Hydroxyl Generator has several benefits that the Ozone Generator does not. The main advantage is that the treated room can be occupied during the deodorization process, though it does work more slowly. It's used to treat fire, smoke, biohazard jobs, water damage, crime scene situations, and animal odors. 
  3. Air Filtration Device: This piece of equipment, also known as an air scrubber, is used to remove airborne contaminants during water, fire, smoke, mold, and sewage restoration work. These work by pulling air through a HEPA filtration mechanism to remove airborne particles, helping clean the air and remove odors.

SERVPRO of Lake Arlington is here for you 24/7, 7 days a week at (817) 460-7766.